This is the story of My Journey into Wellness and Dharma (Soul's Purpose)
My PCP has encouraged me to tell my story.
Please note, if you are reading this, I am not providing medical advice, nor am I suggesting that you should not follow your medical provider's recommendations,or stop any treatment on your own.
My hope is that you may relate to some parts of this and become curious, hopeful and empowered. That this will encourage you to have a different type of conversation with your physician. And most importantly advocate for yourself.
That with right actions you have the ability to assist your body in healing itself
Or, if you know someone who may benefit from reading this, please share this with them
It was winter 2008,I was experiencing some weird symptoms that would come and go,some of them I experienced in the past, they were very random and I just shrugged them off. But now they were more intense and more frequent, dizziness, tingling in different parts of my body & both sides, numbness, and just so very tired. Then my left foot started dragging, and I knew then I needed to schedule an appointment with my PCP. Having been a Nurse for so many years, I knew having neurological symptoms on both sides of the body didn't make sense and that it wasn't a stroke. I also learned in LPN school that "If neurological symptoms don't make sense think MS." Also, I knew there was a possibility of a brain tumor. Like anyone I was a bit anxious and fearful.
The day of my appointment I knew I had to be very specific about my symptoms and not to self diagnose. I learned in my Nursing career, physicians really hate when patients self diagnose.
I was so frustrated and disappointed at that appointment and with the physician whose answer to me was I was hyperventilating. ( I used to make patients hyperventilate when I was a stress testing Nurse with a Cardiologist I worked for) My response was " I know what hyperventilating is and I am not hyperventilating ". He insisted that's what it was. When I returned to the office where I worked, I went immediately went to one of the physicians and asked for him to recommend a new pcp for me and why.
I was so frustrated and mad because I know if I was a man who went in with those symptoms every test under the sun would have been ordered to find the cause, but because I am a woman the mentality was that I must be emotional and or hormonal .
(I did by the way write him a letter after my diagnosis letting him know how disappointed I was in his dismissivness towards me & what the diagnosis was)
By the time I got into the new pcp my symptoms subsided. In January 2009 my symptoms returned. This dizziness was so intense I was sent home from work.
I got in with my new pcp. She ordered an MRI. The following day her office called me to come in she wanted to speak with me. She told me I had MS. While that wasn't the best news to receive, I was grateful it wasn't a brain tumor. In the midst of trying times,we should always look for the blessing. There is always one although it may be difficult to see.
When I got into the Neurologist he gave kudos that I advocated for myself and kept pursuing an answer to my symptoms. In doing so I was in early stages and it would be very manageable.
In July of 2009 I started on an injectable medication that was a daily injection at the time. Eventually with new dosing it decreased to 3 times a week. The function of this medication was to stop further lesions from developing.
In 2011 at the recommendation of my daughter I started seeing a local Network Chiropractor on a regular and consistent basis. I still see her regularly today.
Around that time I also started seeing a Reiki Practioner who also did Cranial Sacral. I saw her pretty consistently unless funds were limited.
In 2014 I discovered Kriya Yoga and began a daily meditation habit, that continues today. In that same year I took Reiki 1&2 training, which did help with symptoms, if I remembered to give myself Reiki. I opted for continuing seeing the Reiki Practioner
Also during this time frame I started seeing a practioner of Nutrition Response Testing. I did not do it for weight loss, although that would be a good thing to do, I did it and continue to see her to receive the right nutritional support for my wellbeing. I learned that many types of foods are inflammatory which feed the autoimmune diseases. 2 of them being Gluten and Dairy. I gave up all dairy for 3 months and all my allergy symptoms went away and no longer needed the daily allergy pill. The only dairy I eat now is cheese( which I love) Gluten was the toughest one. I cheated alot. Hey I am Italian who loves a great pasta dish with some awesome bread, it is tough.
But I finally in the last couple of years have been strict about it. Also mindful of oils as many of them are also inflammatory.
So, over the years my annual MRI's stayed the same except in 2019 there was 1 new lesion.
In 2021 I retired from my demanding and toxic work environment. Oh man, I am a new person not being in that energy everyday impacting my energy and health in a negative way. I used to say Thank God I meditate, I don't know how I would get thru the day if I didn't
I knew I wanted to get off the medication. I was tired of being a part of the problem of the high cost of medications. Grateful I had copay assistance. My copay for a generic medication was over $1,000.00/month. That to me is a crime.
So in November 2023 with the instruction from my Neurologist office I was able to stop the medication for MS. Given there has been no inflammatory process in my brain in years.
As of this writing I just had a follow up MRI and an appointment with my Neurologist. Still no inflammatory process and I can remain off the medication and follow up in a year.☺️
This wasn't a quick fix. Holistic care in addition to medical care was and continues to be so impactful. It took a combination of several modalities, Meditation, Being on a Spiritual Path, incorporating some dietary changes. In addition to Meditation,Reiki, Nutrition, and Network Chiro, I also receive massages,do sound and vibrational therapies, & Spinal Energetics.
They all build on each other and the key is consistency and variation, as each modality heals in different ways. Also removing myself from a stressful work environment and setting boundaries, that can be difficult to do at times.( I am not advising you to quit your job, but that is what I needed to do for me)
When we don't do all this work for ourselves stuck energies,emotions,fears,traumas stay stuck in your cells,tissues,chakras limiting the flow of Prana( Life Force Energy) and over time this causes inflammation and disease process.
I have learned to see where different emotions that got buried, living and working in low vibrational energy has contributed to the disease process in my body.
But that doesn't mean it can't be changed. Our human bodies are miraculous and can heal themselves. We don't have to solely depend on medications that have their own side effects that add to more diseases. Eat as much Organic and Fresh as you can is one way. Read labels etc.
Having a Spiritual Practice is also very important. By connecting in daily to that Power that is greater than ourselves we can hear the guidance from our soul leading the way to a better way.
I am now a Certified Usui/Holy Fire ®️Reiki Master Practioner & Teacher, A Certified Meditation Leader. And certified in some other energy healing modalities. I have my own practice and see clients several days per week. Energy Healing Practioners do not heal you. They are the vessel that allows the energy to flow that creates space for your tissues and cells to start the healing process. In essence you are your own healer.
Being of service,helping others to become the best version of themselves and into their own Wellness,being the tool in their toolbox to heal themselves is a great honor and privilege.
Always be honest with your physician about your Holistic Modalities you are using in your life. They cannot suggest or recommend it unless they are in private practice and not accepting insurance. But they need to be aware of your Holistic Practices.
This journey led me to my Dharma, being of service to others in a Holistic way. Where healing takes place Physically, Emotionally,Spiritually and Energetically. The whole being not just a piece at a time.
Always remember: Everything Happens for us. Not to us
With Love,
Muktima 🧡
PS Feel free to contact me with any questions or if I can be of assistance to you in any way
Muktima, Your heart is full. You are such a wonderful inspiration for good health, happiness, and well being. Thank you for sharing how you crossed over and live to serve.